Minister assures permanent solution to Gajuwaka dumping yard soon

Visakhapatnam: State municipal administration and urban development minister P Narayana said that a permanent solution would be implemented for the issues related to the Gajuwaka garbage transfer station and assured locals that they need not worry. On Tuesday, the minister, along with city mayor Peela Srinivasa Rao, Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao, GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg, VMRDA commissioner N. Tej Bharat, and others, inspected the garbage transfer station in the Gajuwaka zone.Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the Gajuwaka MLA had highlighted the hardships faced by residents due to the foul smell emanating from the station and requested a solution. Responding to this, the minister directed officials to ensure that waste is transported promptly to waste-to-energy plants, eliminating the need for a dumping yard. He also instructed the GVMC commissioner to undertake a planned modernisation of the garbage transfer station without causing inconvenience to the public and assured locals that necessary steps would be taken to prevent future issues.Later, the minister inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju Park in Ward No. 76, unveiled the statue of Alluri Sitarama Raju installed within the park, and paid floral tributes. He also inspected the facilities by walking through the park.The minister said that the park, developed at a cost of approximately Rs 10 crore over 4.75 acres, has been designed with modern amenities, including an amphitheatre with gallery, skating rink, cricket net, cafeteria, toilet blocks, drainage system, security cabin, water fountain with statue, grand entrance arch, walking track, children's play equipment, greenery, flooring, modern gym equipment, and a compound wall."The coalition government led by chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is committed to development," he said, alleging that the previous government weakened the municipal system and diverted public funds. "Nearly Rs 1,700 crore is still due to municipalities. Since the formation of the present government, a ‘green channel' has been introduced to ensure municipal funds are utilised locally. Tenders worth Rs 14,000 crore have been invited to provide drinking water to every household, and within the next two years, safe drinking water will be ensured across municipalities. Drainage works worth Rs 5,000 crore have been undertaken, and an additional Rs 4,000 crore from the Central Government in 2026–27 will be used for drinking water, drainage, roads, and electricity infrastructure. A survey for the Visakhapatnam metro rail project is being conducted by RITES, and the project will be taken forward after receiving the report. Plans are also underway to develop Dayal Nagar Hill in Gajuwaka on the lines of Kailasagiri and to develop a Kala Pranganam in Samata Nagar."Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao thanked the minister for his support in the development of Gajuwaka. He highlighted that Rs 250 crore has been spent on development in Gajuwaka over the last 20 months, compared with only Rs 90 crore in the previous five years. "The long-pending dumping yard issue will be permanently resolved soon," Rao added.